2 years ago
VP, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has promoted the effect of government's Free Senior Secondary School (Free SHS) program on the existences of families in the midst of a financial crunch.As indicated by him,
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice President, has lauded the impact of the government's Free Senior High School (Free SHS) program on the lives of families in the midst of an economic crisis.
According to him, the program has "reduced the burden on families" as the country goes through one of its worst economic downturns.
Bawumia blamed the country's economic challenges on the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, telling Kenyan private TV channel KTN News that the cost of living globally has risen dramatically, with Ghana being no exception.
He stated that, despite the economic downturn, the government continues to implement the Free SHS program, which has provided relief to families.
"Ghana has been no exception, and I'm sure Kenya hasn't been either, because food and energy prices have risen, with inflationary and exchange-rate consequences that have really squeezed budgets in that regard."
"In Ghana, we are attempting to deal with it in the context of a very squeezed and tight fiscal policy." The Central Bank is attempting to control inflation through monetary policy. To try to keep the situation under control, interest rates have been raised several times. The government continues to provide free senior secondary school education to our citizens, which has helped to reduce the financial burden on families. Otherwise, it would have been much worse," Bawumia claimed.
The Vice President stated that increasing production is the best way to resolve crises that afflict a country.
"Ultimately, you deal with the crisis by increasing output." If there is a food crisis, we must increase food production, which is how Ghana plans to address it. The energy side is a little more difficult because we are net importers of oil and must adhere to international market demands.
"We therefore hope that, sooner or later, the Ukraine crisis will subside, lowering energy prices for all of us." "However, I believe the government is constantly looking for ways to deal with it [the economic crunch]," he said.
In 2017, the government launched the Free SHS program to remove financial barriers to second cycle education.
In the midst of an economic downturn, there have been growing calls for the government to reconsider the program and allow parents to bear some of the costs.
Total Comments: 0